Sallinger: How To Plan Out A Trip To Washington DC

Written by CBS4's Rick Sallinger

How to do DC? That's what we asked each of our friends who have gone there on vacation.

If you are planning to go here are a few hints we picked up on our trip which we thought might be worthwhile to pass along.

Capitol Tour - Contact your congressman or senator ahead of time. Their office can line up a fixed tour time. To go into the House or Senate chambers you will need to ask for a separate gallery pass. You can also book your tour online through the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.

Union station - Right near the Capitol. Good for lunch with a giant food court.

National Archives See the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights no charge, but no photos allowed in this dimly lit room.

White House Tours must be booked way in advance, again through your Congressman or Senator. The front side is blocked off to vehicle traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue. You can also walk around to the back and see the South Lawn and perhaps the Marine One helicopter carrying the president.

Smithsonian Museums - (19 museums and galleries). No charge for entry. If you become a member you can get a discount at cafeterias, gift shops, and Imax movies.

Newseum - Just what the name says, a museum devoted to the gathering of the news. See the World Trade Center antenna, the Unabomber's cabin and the final Rocky Mountain News. There is a fee to enter, but well worth it. My favorite!

Spy Museum - You also have to pay to get in, but it's a bright look at the dark side of diplomacy.

Mt. Vernon - George Washington's plantation home. We rented a car for the 45 minute drive into Virginia, but it is reachable by Metro and bus. Beautiful view overlooking Potomac River. See George and Martha's tomb.

Old Town Alexandria Virginia - On the way to and from Mt. Vernon. Filled with colonial era homes, shops, restaurants and a wharf along the Potomac.

Arlington National Cemetery - somber visit to honor America's non-living veterans. Taking a tourmobile saves a lot of hillside walking.

Georgetown - Colonial era homes in northwest DC. Shops and restaurants line M street. Walk towards the Potomac to see canal towpath. You can then dine or have drinks at Washington Harbor.

Metro - Washington's beautiful subway system. Get a card and add money as needed. Stops are not as convenient as you might like. Escalators sometimes out of order.

There's certainly much more, but the sights listed above kept us busy for five days.